Large-scale holdings, a fancy mansion on expensive farmland, an Upper Hunter property steeped in history and outstanding dairy enterprises - read on to find out our property picks this week.
New South Wales
If you've got a cool $600 million burning a hole in your back pocket, stockbroking and financial advisory group Bell Potter might suggest you take a look at Australian Food and Agriculture.
The Weekly Times has reported [Paywall] the company's 225,405 hectare NSW property portfolio will be hitting the market soon, in what will be the biggest farmland offering so far this year.
The Riverina and central-west NSW portfolio comprises 18 properties near Deniliquin, Hay and Coonamble, including the famed Wanganella and Poll Boonoke Merino studs.
The company also owns approximately 54,693 megalitres of water licences in the Murrumbidgee and Murray irrigation areas.
Another NSW listing steeped in history is the 381ha Invermien at Scone, recently listed with Inglis Rural Property.
Originally the first land grant in Scone c. 1825, the Invermien settlement hosts the first Scone Courthouse and jail/coach house, which is now partially renovated and part of the colonial style homestead.
A feature of the property is the flagship homestead overlooking the Scone township and Kingdon Ponds. The colonial-style homestead with central courtyard is an iconic landmark.
The property is divided into 55 paddocks with excellent laneway access throughout.
Country ranges from highly productive heavy black river flats, ideal for intensive hay or fodder production, to gently undulating fertile red clay rises ideal for equine and cattle production.
The operation is backed by excellent water and irrigation, including 5.5km frontage to Kingdon Ponds and Middle Brook, with substantial segments of double frontage.
An 803ML water licence is utilised via two groundwater wells that supply a 150,000L header tank system and services an extensive irrigation network of reticulated stock and domestic water including troughs in every paddock and a series of irrigation hydrants across the property.
A wide range of infrastructure and capital developments enable multiple income streams, including cottage rentals, beef production, professional equine operations, hay production and cash cropping.
The property is being sold via an expression of interest process, closing November 1.
Victoria
Located on the renowned Bass Coast, only minutes from Phillip Island and Wonthaggi, Toad Hall Farm is an outstanding rural retreat and lifestyle opportunity.
A highly productive 40.17ha grazing property currently utilised for beef production, the farm boasts an outstanding 400 square metre Mt Gambier limestone homestead situated in the middle of the property with sweeping 360-degree ocean and rural landscape views.
The stately two-storey residence is complete with magnificent open plan kitchen, large dining/ lounge room, family room, four king-sized bedrooms plus a study/ office, three bathrooms, generous upstairs living room, multiple balconies and verandahs.
Currently producing high quality Aberdeen Angus cattle, the property benefits from improved pastures, gently sloping topography, well-designed fencing, windbreaks, high quality cattle yards and abundant stock water reticulated to each paddock.
Excellent supporting structural improvements include two modern enclosed Colorbond sheds, machinery shed and workshop, plus an 80-bale hay shed.
Located just 95 lineal kilometres from the Melbourne CBD, the Bass Coast is a prime tourist destination offering pristine surfing, fishing, coastal hiking, dune paragliding and safe rail-trail bike riding, as well as exceptional local wineries and live music venues.
Toad Hall Farm is being offered for sale by private treaty, handled by Colliers.
South Australia
Two outstanding dairy operations in SA have hit the market.
Campbell House, located in the tightly-held area of Meningie, is a best-in-class dairy opportunity, underpinned by substantial cropping ground, renowned for its productive fertile soils, reliable rainfall and temperate climate.
"An outstanding property featuring purpose and function", the 1500ha Campbell House is currently milking 600 cows and producing approximately 7 million litres of milk annually, with an attractive milk supply contract in place.
The property boasts first-class irrigation infrastructure, including 229ha of centre pivot irrigation, and excellent fit-for-purpose dairy infrastructure, which includes a 50-unit rotary dairy adjoining a barn (220m x 52m) for housing 600 cows.
Structural improvements include machinery shedding (three), cattle yards, hay shedding, chemical storage, office, staff amenities, rural shedding and significant residential infrastructure (five), including Campbell House homestead.
The soils are mainly well drained sandy loam over some clay and limestone. The property features improved pastures, an all-weather laneway system, excellent fencing infrastructure and reticulated stock water to each paddock.
Campbell House is for sale via expression of interest, which closes at 12pm (ACST) on November 10.
Further south at Kongorong, the 280ha Bowds Dairy has been described by selling agents as "an outstanding rural holding located in an environmentally significant area of the South East".
All grazing paddocks comprise improved pastures, reticulated stock water, all-weather laneway access and quality fencing infrastructure.
The high-producing dairy herd is performing well above industry benchmarks, and is a testament to the results the property can achieve whether you continue to dairy or convert to another system of your choice.
The operation is currently milking over 700 cows, using a 60-stand DeLaval rotary dairy built in 2017. Stock are negotiable in the sale.
Both Campbell House and Bowds Dairy are being marketed by Elders.
